Etymology Map
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Zeal

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means great energy or enthusiasm for a cause

Where does the word "zeal" come from? It comes from Greek zēlos, passing through Late Latin before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
zēlos
Greek · ancient
"ardour"
ardour, eager rivalry; the Zealots of 1st-century Judea took their name from it
2
Stage 2 of 3
zēlus
Late Latin · ancient
"zeal"
used in the Latin Bible for fervour, especially religious
3
Stage 3 of 3
zeal
English · 1300s
"enthusiasm"
appears in the Wycliffite Bible of the 1380s
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Read the full story

Zeal’s story begins in Greek: zēlos meant “ardour.” Ardour, eager rivalry; the Zealots of 1st-century Judea took their name from it. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as zēlus. Used in the Latin Bible for fervour, especially religious. It reached English by 1300s as zeal. Appears in the Wycliffite Bible of the 1380s. Today, zeal means great energy or enthusiasm for a cause.